ASK LOIS: 16 really good, inexpensive restaurants in Fort Lauderdale
Gourmet dining is a treat on special occasions, but what about the rest of the time, when we want to eat out but don’t want to spend a lot of money?
We are lucky that Fort Lauderdale has lots of options for cheap eats, my definition of “cheap” being less than $20 for an entree. For the list I created below, I tried to find locally owned sites that get consistently good reviews from the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s veteran staffers and in “Let’s Eat, South Florida,” the Sun Sentinel’s foodie Facebook group.
If you’re looking for a meal outside Fort Lauderdale, check out my previous “Ask Lois” columns: I’ve looked at Tamarac-Margate-Pompano Beach; Weston-Plantation-Davie-Pembroke Pines; Boca Raton and Boynton Beach-Delray Beach-Lake Worth.
As for Fort Lauderdale, there are many more places than I could have included on this list; feel free to send over your favorite inexpensive eateries for a follow-up story. I’m at AskLois@sunsentinel.com.
Bandolero’s Taqueria y Mas, 208 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale; 786-913-9307; bandolerostaqueria.com
Every dish is under $20, including the Chicken Burrito ($17) and the Carnitas Burrito ($18). Nutella Tacos (with strawberries and bananas, $8) are a creative dessert. A “Let’s Eat” reviewer raved: “This place has some obvious passion for their food and you can tell they take no shortcuts to prepare their items! I highly recommend!” Another recommendation in the Latin American fusion category: La Costa Olas. Sun Sentinel food writer Phillip Valys says his favorite La Costa dish is “La Super baleada, a pan-grilled soft taco filled with churrasco steak, bacon, sausage, eggs, avocado, refried beans and sour cream.” According to Valys: “You’ll have plenty of leftovers. Pair that with a fruit milkshake ($5) and the whole meal is under $20.”
Christina Wan’s, 664 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954- 527-0228; christinawans.com
Not many restaurants offer early bird specials anymore, but Christina Wan’s has $17 Sunset Dinners, daily from 3 to 6:30 p.m., that include a main dish, rice, soup and an egg or spring roll. A “Let’s Eat” reviewer thanked the restaurant, which has been in South Florida since 1966, in a recent post: “They were so accommodating of my current dietary restrictions and made me the tastiest fried rice with double egg.”
Reggae Roots Jamaican Restaurant, 4370 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 754-701-8407
This little place, seating only 10 people, seeks to offer “a new way of looking at Jamaican food.” Signature dishes include oxtail, curried goat, jerk chicken and pineapple barbecue chicken. Owners Alexis and Monique Clarke Brown see themselves as Jamaican ambassadors, sharing the culture, sights, scents and music of the Caribbean nation.
Sasaya Japanese Market, 1956 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-761-8010; sasayajapanese.com
Sun Sentinel entertainment reporter Rod Stafford Hagwood shared this market as his go-to for takeout. “This sushi counter is a hidden treasure that a lot of people in Victoria Park and the condos on Sunrise and A1A know about,” he said. “It’s in the back of a tiny little Japanese market in Gateway Shopping Center.” Medium rolls range from $5 to $9.50; specials, such as the Dancing Eel Roll, are $8.50 to $14.50.
Temple Street Eatery, 416 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 754-701-0976; templestreeteatery.com
Temple Street Eatery gets rave reviews for its creative Asian fusion menu, which includes Kimchi Quesadillas and Edamame Falafel. Said one “Let’s Eat” reviewer: “I had the Korean chicken empanada and the Godzilla Ramen. The Ramen had both ropa vieja and pork belly. Omg it was outstanding. Loved the empanada too. Great place. Quick service. Glad I went. Will be back again soon.”
Georgia Pig BBQ & Restaurant; 1285 S. State Road 7, Fort Lauderdale; 954-587-4420; georgiapig.com
This old standard has been around since 1953. Barbecued pork or beef sandwiches are $6.25; Brunswick stew is $13.25. “Let’s Eat” reviewers consistently rate Georgia Pig as having the best barbecue in Broward County: “A historic landmark (that) hasn’t changed since 1953; the ambience is hard-working, blue-collar chic!! My husband loves the spare ribs … I’m all about the CHOPPED PORK SANDWICH!”
The Floridian, 1410 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-463-4041; thefloridiandiner.com
The Floridian is the place locals take out-of-town guests to introduce them to “an unaffected local vibe,” as Sun Sentinel entertainment reporter Ben Crandell wrote in an obituary for Floridian owner Butch Samp, who died earlier this year. Eggs and bagels for breakfast, steak and chicken for dinner: “The Flo,” open 24 hours a day since the ’70s, has eased many a hangover over the years from Las Olas partiers and served as a gathering place for police, politicians and coffee lovers. Other good breakfast places/diners: Peter Pan Diner, Egg & You Diner and Lester’s Diner.
Wicked Cheesesteaks Pizza & Wings, 4824 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954-398-5355; wickedcheesesteakspizzawings.com
The restaurant offers creative takes on the Philly cheesesteak, including pizzas, egg rolls, fries, sliders and stromboli. Patrons say it’s the real thing: According to one “Let’s Eat” reviewer, “while eating the steak I closed my eyes and thought I was back in Philly … I totally found this to be the closest sandwich to home that I’ve found here in 5 years of trying to find a real cheesesteak.”
Top Round, 35 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; 954-999-0687; eattopround.com/fortlauderdalefl
Roast beef sandwich lovers, you have found your home. Top Round has six thick options on a bun, ranging in price from $9.49 to $10.69, and also serves burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads and sides. For dessert, don’t leave without an old-fashioned frozen custard on a cake cone with rainbow sprinkles ($4.99) or a Concrete shake ($8.29).
Pizza options: Many
Primanti Bros Restaurant and Bar (901 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. and 516 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; primantibros.com) is part of a small chain but highly recommended for pizza by the slice ($2.49) and four-layer lasagna ($10.99). Try the Pitts-burger ($6.49), a beef patty, tomatoes, lettuce, with french fries and coleslaw on white bread (yes, the fries are on the sandwich).
Pie-zan’s (1103 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; pie-zans.com): Hang out with the city’s police officers and hospital workers and order a Meatball Parm sub ($9.39) or a personal thin-crust pizza ($11.49).
Sarpino’s Pizzeria (100 E. Broward Blvd., Suite 103, Fort Lauderdale; gosarpinos.com): Sarpino’s is crazy busy on weekend nights but worth the wait for its creative pan and deep dish pizzas, such as the Sausage Deep Dish ($18.99) and the Vegan Deep Dish ($18.99).
